Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Reiley-Carrangus welcomes Trigunia to Kalistan"Square of Deterrence Idea restores old relationship"
Kaliburg, Ananto
June 17, 4477


President Reiley takes questions following high level meetings with Trigunia

This week, Kalistan was visited by the President Milorad Petrovich, who is the President of the Trigunian Federation.  Meetings between the two Heads of State lasted for a day and a half, before the Petrovich departed.  The meetings were scheduled well in advance of the previous elections, and Petrovich and his small entourage visited the country without much fanfare.

Following the meeting, President of the Republic Reiley-Carrangus took questions from reporters.

K[alistani Republic]:  Is it true that President Pterovich came to Kalistan to seek a military alliance.

R[eley-Carrangus]:  No, we did not talk specifically about the details of a military alliance.  We are just in opening meetings right now, and any details and final agreements need to be worked out.  Of course, we expressed our interest in closer relations with the country [of Trigunia]:  After all, many years ago, we had very close ties with them and so we were naturally very welcoming to the President and his team.

K:  What was the visiting President's itinerary in Kalistan?

R:  Comrade Petrovich was here simply to lay out his plan for a new relationship between our two countries.  During the day we talked about several areas of interest, including increased economic and diplomatic cooperation as well as the need to outflank the NC, and then during the evening, we went to see a Demolition Derby bout at the Republican Stadium in Eveari.  The President loved it:  Apparently, Demolition Derby is not as big a sport in Trigunia as it is here.  I'm not sure he's seen one before, but he loved the spectacle.  On Day two, we finished up the plenary and set in motion talks between the Foreign Ministries.  Allen will be headed to Trigunia within the year to meet with his counterparts there and plans can be made and fleshed out.

K:  Were members of the Government briefed on the meetings?

R:  The Foreign Minister and the Minister of Trade and Industry were both in attendance.  I plan to brief the rest of the cabinet with regard to our discussions just as soon as I am done talking to y'all.

K:  We understand that Petrovich brought an idea of a "square of deterrence" designed to contain the Northern Council.  How does this idea "square" with the Non-Aligned Movement?

R:  Well, as the sole founding member left in the Treaty, we want to revise that treaty, and update it, make it a bit simpler, and so forth.  Comrade [Foreign Minister] Allen is working with the Agramontians to develop a new NAM, called NAM II which would not be corrupted by the competing interests of signatories, and which would permit, to some degree, cooperation with great power states for the purpose of promotion of National Sovereignty over all else.

K:  What are the President's feelings on the Square of Deterrence?

R:  We are interested in the idea.  If you will recall, the thing which kept Kalistan from moving closer to Selucia was an idiotic outburst by their foreign minister while we were debating a bill, and their ejection from the country on charges of espionage.  They have been miffed by this ever since, but if this idea brings Kalistan, Selucia, and Trigunia closer, it will represent the restoration of an old relationship, one which Kalistan will benefit from, given the NC's encirclement of Kalistan.  In addition, most of our navy is currently based on Vanukean designs.  We built a base to host Vanuku's fleet:  We should be closer to them too.  It makes sense that the main powers opposed to the NC should work together.

K:  Has the President's agenda moved forward since being re-elected?

R:  Progress is much slower than we would like.  I would hope the Head of Government would get the Ministers working on their respective projects.  I'd like to see a new budget, which addresses spending and revenue levels.  They move together, so we maintain our surplus, but of course, everyone will make a case for more rather than less.  Ideally, we would slightly reduce taxes, and slightly reduce spending, which has not been touched since the Recession.  But meanwhile, we can still work on the NAM, we can still conduct the cultural census, and I am still meeting with Presidents from other nations.

K:  Thank you Comrade President.

R:  Thank you, Comrade Reporter.